I understand why you've been deferential to the antics of Joe Lieberman so far--he provided the margin that gave you your current position, after all, and your Senate is better than one run by Mitch McConnell. But next January, you'll have more room to move, more of a majority. Even McConnell acknowledges that the Republicans will lose seats this time around--the question is how many.

So with that in mind, it's time for you to cut Joe Lieberman loose from his Committee chairships. Chairing committee is the kind of job that a loyal Democrat should have. What's the point of having the majority if you're not going to impose your will on the committee system, after all?

This is a little different from 2004, when you could cut Zell Miller loose. He wasn't coming back to the Senate, and there was little chance of the Democrats holding onto that seat anyway. But Lieberman will be a Senator until 2012, barring some unforeseen circumstance, and the Chair he holds is too important to leave in the hands of someone who won't advance the Democratic party's agenda. He's not one of us anymore. Show him the door.